State Rep. Jimmy Matlock says his wife, Dean, helped tip the scales in convincing him to challenge incumbent Beth Harwell for the speakership of the Tennessee House of Representatives.

Dean Matlock had been a “reluctant” legislative spouse during her husband’s five terms, he said — until this year. A “strong Christian conservative” troubled by the prospect of a Hillary Clinton presidency, “she thought I should do more,” said Matlock.

“You guys have to stand up to the overreach of the federal government,” she told him.

The Lenoir City Republican, whose district encompasses most of Loudon and Monroe counties, discussed his reasons for taking on the incumbent speaker during a meeting Friday with the News Sentinel editorial board.

While declaring that he likes and respects Harwell, Matlock said he has become frustrated with problems within the GOP “family.” The recent ouster of Rep. Jeremy Durham was not the only issue.

“There were a number of issues in addition to the Durham affair,” said Matlock.

During a special session in September, Durham, a Williamson County Republican, was expelled from the House for alleged sexual misconduct. Harwell, whose Nashville district lies just a few miles from Durham’s, was a driving force in the investigation. Rep. Rick Womick, R-Rockvale, in turn filed ethics complaints against Harwell, which have been dismissed by the House Ethics Committee.

“The demeanor and mood in Nashville is way too distrusting and way too negative,” said Matlock. He blames poor communication among the members, a problem he believes he would be able to address.

“I just think it’s a chance to restart the direction of the caucus with a new mood and outlook,” he said.

Although he has chaired the Transportation Committee, Matlock has been a relatively low-profile legislator who, he said, doesn’t have enemies. His low-key style would mean “a little less drama” if he were speaker.

He points to his professional experience in customer service.

Matlock, 57, owns and operates Matlock Tire Service, which was founded by his parents in 1953. The business now has locations in Athens, Farragut, Maryville, and Lenoir City. The Matlock family has been in Loudon County for five generations. He and Dean married in 1984 and have three children, including a son who is taking a more active role in the business.

They are members of the Crossroads Church of the Nazarene, which Matlock’s grandmother Hazel helped found in 1950.

Matlock said he was criticized for announcing too early that he was challenging Harwell. He has yet to win re-election and faces opposition from Democrat Pam Weston and independent William Vandever. The general election is Nov. 8, and the Republican caucus will meet to select the next speaker on Nov. 17.

Again, he said, his wife influenced his decision, urging him not to approach the speaker’s race secretively.

“If you really believe that you are transparent and open,” she said, “you need to tell them right away.”

In recent weeks, Matlock has been traveling the state, meeting one-on-one with Republican members of the House.

“I’m committed to trying to touch everyone twice,” he said. He considers himself to be part of the conservative wing of the party, but, “I think there is enough broad-based frustration from people who may not be as conservative as I am.”

The next speaker will need 38 votes in the caucus, based on the number of Republicans in the House now.

“The good news about the ballot is that it’s secret,” said Matlock, so members won’t risk backlash if they vote against the current speaker and end up on the losing side.

Matlock, however, expects to lose his committee chairmanship if his bid fails, and perhaps other perquisites controlled by the speaker. He looks at that prospect philosophically.

“Even if I were to lose both races,” he said, “I’d still have a wonderful life.”